The festival, organised by Coventry City Council, will feature a wide array of events across the city. These include poetry sessions, outdoor storytelling, art and craft workshops, guided walks around Coventry, and a historical tour of Coventry Cathedral. A special planting session will see a young oak tree, grown from a tree that survived the Battle of Arnhem, planted in the city. Additionally, an online film screening of 'It Takes a City', a film about two unexploded WWII bombs discovered in Coventry, will be available.
The festival will culminate on Saturday 14 November with 'Sense of Unity', a captivating outdoor performance. From 6pm to 7.10pm, giant illuminated puppets will parade through the city centre, accompanied by live drummers playing West African-inspired music, symbolising connection, resilience, hope, and diversity.
“"Coventry has a long history of being known as a City of Peace and Reconciliation, stretching back to the Blitz 86 years ago. The Coventry Peace Festival is a wonderful way for us to continue that legacy, reflecting not only on the city’s past, but also on our shared responsibility to build a peaceful future. As always, it is wonderful to see so many local charities and organisations getting involved. There are so many different events across the two weeks to get involved with and I hope people will come together to learn, share and enjoy."
A significant part of the festival is the annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade, held at the War Memorial Park on Sunday 8 November at 10.45am. This will be followed by the Communal Grave Service at London Road Cemetery at 3pm.
The event also includes the annual Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture, which will focus on reconciliation amid conflict and Coventry’s global contribution to peace. The lecture will be presented by Dean Rev. John Witcombe and chaired by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Bailey. All events are free, with most not requiring advance booking. A full schedule is available on the council website.
